The Real Tom Thumb: History's Smallest Superstar

The story of General Tom Thumb, the world’s first global show business celebrity. Just 64cm tall, he went from humble beginnings in America to international superstardom, eventually performing on stage to over 50 million people, including President Lincoln and Queen Victoria. His stardom truly reflected the age of the time, exploding amidst the advent of the railroad and flash photography.

Acclaimed from Australia to Europe, General Tom Thumb was arguably the Victorian equivalent of the modern internet celebrity. In his 45 years Charles Stratton (his real name) amassed a fortune and led a happily married life while touring the world to perform before sold-out audiences.